The sovereigns prerogative and the subjects priviledge discussed betwixt courtiers and patriots in Parliament, the third and fourth yeares of the reign of King Charles : together with the grand mysteries of state then in agitation.

His MAIESTIES Letter, with Queres concerning Ship-money, and the Answer thereunto.

To Our trustie and welbeloved, Sir Iohn Bramston Knight, Chief Justices of our Bench; Sir Iohn Finch Knight, Chief Justice of our Court of Common-pleas; Sir Humphrey Davenport Knight, Chief Baron of Our Court of Exchequer; and to the rest of the Judges of Our Courts of Kings Bench, Common-pleas, and the Barons of our Court of Exchequer.

CHARLES R.

TRustie and welbeloved We greet you well. Taking into Our Princely consideration, that the Honor and Safetie of this our Realm of Eng∣land, the preservation whereof is onely intrusted to Our care, was, and is now more dearly concerned than in late former times, as well by diverse Counsels and attempts, to take from Us the Dominion of the Seas, of which We are sole Lord and rightfull Owner, or Propriator, and the loss whereof would be of greatest danger and peril to this Kingdom, and other our Dominions, and many other wayes; We, for the avoiding of these and the like dangers, well weighing with Our self, that where the good and safety of the Kingdom in general is concerned, and the whole Kingdom in danger, there the charge and defence ought to be born by all the Realm in general; did for preventing so publick a mischief, resolve with Our self, to have a Royal Navie provided, that might be of force and power (with Almightie Gods blessing and assistance) to protect and defend this our Realm, and our Subjects therein, from all such perils and dangers: and for that purpose We issued forth Writs under Our Great Seal of England, directed to all Our Sheriffs of Our several Counties of Eng∣land and Wales, Commanding thereby all Our said Subjects in every Citie, Town and Village, to provide such a number of Ships, well furnished as might serve for this Royal purpose, and which might be done with the greatest equallitie that could be. In performance whereof, though gene∣rally throughout all the Counties of this Our Realm, We have found in Our Subjects great chearfulness and alacritie, which We graciously inter∣pret as a testimonie as well of their dutifull affections to Us and Our ser∣vice, as of the respest they have to the publick, which well becometh every good Subject; nevertheless, finding that some few, happily out of igno∣rance what the Laws and Customs of this Realm are, or out of a desire to be eased and freed in their particulars, how general soever the charge be, or ought to be, have not yet paid and contributed the several Rates and Assesments that were set upon them; & foreseeing in our Princely wisdom, that from hence diverse Suits and Actions are not unlikely to be com∣menced, and prosecuted in Our several Courts at Westminster; We, de∣sireous to avoid such inconveniences, and out of Our Princely love and af∣fection to all our people, being willing to prevent such errors as any of Our

loving Subjects may happen to run into, have thought fit in a Case of this nature, to advise with you Our Iudges, who we doubt not are all well stu∣died and informed in the rights of Our Sovereigntie. And because the Trials in Our several Courts, by the formalities in pleading, will require a long protraction, We have thought fit by this Letter directed to you all, to require your Iudgements in the Case, as it is set down in the inclosed Paper, which will not onely gain time, but also be of more Authoritie to over-rule any prejudicate opinions of others in the point. Given under Our Signet at Our Court of White-hall, the Second day of Febr. in the Twelfth Year of our Reign. 1636.

CHARLES R.

WHen the good and safetie of the Kingdom in general is con∣cerned, and the whole Kingdom in danger, Whether may not the KING, by Writ under the Great Seal of England, Command all the Subjects of this Kingdom, at their charge, to provide and furnish such number of Ships, with Men, Victuals, and Munition, and for such time as he shall think fit, for the defence and safeguard of the Kingdom from such danger and peril, and by Law compel the doing thereof, in case of refusal or refractoriness?

And whether, in such case, is not the KING the sole Judge both of the danger, and when and how the same is to be prevented and avoided?

CHARLES REX.

Answer.

MAy it please Your most excellent Majestie, We have, according to Your Majesties Command severally, every man by himself, and all of us together, taken into serious consideration the Case, and Questions, signed by your Majestie, and inclosed in your Royal Letter: and we are of opinion, that when the good and safetie of the Kingdom in general is con∣cerned, and the whole Kingdom in danger, Your Majestie may, by Writ under the Great Seal of England, Command all the Subjects of this Your Kingdom, at their charge, to provide and furnish such number of Ships, with Men, Victual, and Munition, and for such time as Your Majestie shall think fit, for the defence and safeguard of the Kingdom from such danger and peril: and that by Law Your Majestie may compel the doing thereof, in Case of refusal or refractoriness. And we are also of opinion, That in such Case Your Majestie is the sole Iudge, both of the danger, and when and how the same is to be prevented and avoided.

• ...John Bramston.
• ...John Finch.
• ...Humfrey Davenport.
• ...John Denham.
• ...Richard Hutton.
• ...William Jones.
• ...George Crook.
• ...Thomas Trevor.
• ...George Vernon
• ...Robert Barkley.
• ...Francis Crawley.
• ...Richard Weston.

FINIS.